China Reportedly Tested Advanced Fighter Jet with Detachable Drones.

According to the South China Morning Post, China has reportedly succeeded in testing a new aircraft that combines a stealth fighter with two detachable drones. This innovative design was demonstrated at an airport located at the southern edge of the Mu Us Desert in Ningxia, northwestern China. However, no photos of this aircraft have been obtained.
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AI-generated illustration image showing a Chinese fighter jet working in cooperation with UAVs. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The stealth fighter, equipped with a twin-engine turbofan and an integrated fuselage with delta wings, executed a maneuver during the test flight. Segments of each wing detached from the main aircraft, transforming into two "flying wing" drones powered by electric fans. This information should be taken with caution as no images of this event have yet been shared.

However, Chinese media continue to explain the test proceedings: "Despite a brief jolt caused by the sudden reduction in wing area and the shift in the aircraft's center of gravity, both the fighter and the drones quickly stabilized, demonstrating the effectiveness of the aerodynamic design and automatic control algorithms."

According to Du Xin, a senior engineer at the Aeronautical Technology Institute of the China Aerodynamics Research and Development Center (CARDC), this successful test flight validates a new concept for the next-generation fighter of the Chinese Air Force. The design represents an advanced mode of collaborative manned/unmanned combat, integrating multiple aircraft with different functions for coordinated flight.

In an article published on May 29 in the Chinese journal Advances in Aeronautical Science and Engineering, Du and his colleagues explained that this approach addresses issues such as speed discrepancy and range incompatibility between manned and unmanned aircraft, achieving complementary advantages.

Yang Wei, the chief designer of the J-20 aircraft, mentioned that China's future stealth fighters will focus on combat alongside drones. The J-20, China's primary stealth fighter, is undergoing tests for a two-seater variant to enhance interaction capabilities with drones.

The next-generation stealth fighter design includes two drones attached to the trailing edge of the aircraft's delta wings. Unlike previous attempts to fix aircraft to the wingtips, Du's team adopted a "rear edge docking configuration," connecting the leading edges of the drones to the trailing edge of the main wing. This configuration allows for more stable flight but poses significant challenges due to drastic changes in the aircraft's center of gravity and focal point during separation.

Du's team developed a new algorithm to accurately analyze various disturbances, including wind changes, during separation. Both the jet and the drones use the FCC-100 flight control computer from Northwestern Polytechnical University, capable of complex calculations and reliable control.

The test flight date remains classified, but the project reportedly demonstrates advances in aircraft stability and control, paving the way for real-world applications. Chinese scientists are also exploring new technologies such as plasma stealth equipment and airflow for future fighters. However, as no official communication has been made public about the test, it is prudent to remain cautious about the veracity of this information, and we must wait for potential additional information from Chinese authorities.